Track races are high-energy and competitive, but one high school track meet turned violent last week when a runner in the 4×200 meter relay at the VHSL Class 3 State Indoor Championships at Liberty University was struck in the head with a competitor’s baton.
It was a heated battle for second place. Kaelen Tucker, a Brookville High School senior and star on the track team, can be seen on video passing Alaila Everett of Norcom High School on the corner during the second leg of the relay.
As they run into the straightaway, Everett raises her arm and slams the baton down on Tucker’s head, causing the runner to stumble and run off the track. Everett was disqualified from the race for her actions, but Tucker has been left with a concussion and possibly a fractured skull.
A female high school track athlete from I.C. Norcom High School struck Kaelen Tucker, a junior from Brookville High School, in the head with a relay baton during the second leg of the girls' 4x200m relay final.pic.twitter.com/ToG5YUguSr
— Frank (@rodriQuez) March 9, 2025
Tucker described the incident to WSLS News. “When you go to the other side of the track, you have to cross into lane one, you have to merge in. As I was coming up on her, she kind of like made me get cut off a little bit, so I backed away. Then, as we got around the curve, she kept bumping me in my arm. Then finally we got off the curve, I like slowly started passing her and then that’s when she just hit me with the baton and I fell off the track.”
Tucker’s family was outraged at the incident, and even more so when Everett did not apologize. They said, “Even if it was a fluke or a freak accident, you still would check on her.”
As a result, the Tuckers sought a protective order and reached out to VHSL. An investigation has been opened to look into the incident. Mike McCall, the director of communications for VHSL, released a statement that said, “We don’t comment on individuals or disciplinary actions. I can tell you that the actions taken by the meet director were appropriate and correct. We are still reviewing the situation but that’s all I have for you right now. It’s a serious issue especially when it involves the safety of athletes in competitions.”
Everett, the offending athlete, spoke with 10WAVY on Friday to finally tell her side of the story – which does not include the apology that Tucker has been waiting for.
“After a couple times of hitting her, my baton got stuck behind her back like this, and it rolled up her back. I lost my balance when I pumped my arms again. She got hit,” said Everett, claiming it was an accident. “I know my intentions and I would never hit someone on purpose.”
